Auxiliary alarm system.



C. E. BEACH.

AUXILMRY ALARM SYSTEM. APPLICATION FILED sEPT.24, 1914. RENEWED NOV. 23.191B.

1 ,29 O,700. Patented J an. 7, 1919.

lllllllll IIVI/ENTOR WITNESSES: v

7 5 flww In: no... :152: a. Indra-Inna. mum... a c

CLARENCE E. BEACH, OF IBIN'GHAMTON, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN-MENT-S, TO THE GAMEWELL FIRE ALARM TELEGRAPH COMPANY, A CORPORATION OFNEW YORK.

AUXILIARY ALARM SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. '7, 1919.

Application filed September 24,1914, Serial No. 863,322. RenewedNovember 23, 1918. Serial No. 263,926.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CLARENCE E. BEACH,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Binghamton, in the county ofBroomeand State of New York, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Auxiliary Alarm Systems, of which the following is aspecification.

My invention relates to alarm systems and particularly to fire alarmsystems having signal boxes connected in a general circuit and eachadapted to transmit a signal identifying that particular signal box andhaving one or more groups of so-called auxiliary stations, a differentone of said signal boxes being connected to each group of auxiliarystations whereby the operation of any one of the auxiliary stations willcause its connected signal box to be so influenced by the batteriesassociated with said signal box and its connected group of auxiliarystations that said box will be'adjusted for the transmission of itssignal.

Auxiliary signaling systems have, in the past, been devised having twosets of batteries associated with each auxiliarized signal box and itsconnected group of auxiliary stations, and in such systems provision hasbeen made whereby one battery set and a part of the wiring have beenunder constant test for their continuity, and the other battery set anda further-portion of the wiring whose continuity is vital to theeffective operation of the signal box from any auxiliary station havenot been kept under test in such previous systems, but provision hasbeen made whereby a test of the continuity of such additional batteryset and wiring could be manually effected.

In such earlier forms of auxiliary systems an answer back or returnsignal has been provided at each auxiliary station whereby theresponsive action of the signal box may be automatically announced or 1ndicated at an auxiliary station which has been operated, and in suchprior systems local alarm means has been provided, for indicating across between certain wires connecting the various auxiliary stations,and for indicating a break in the conductors and battery which are underconstant test. A

separate local alarm has also been provided for'indicating when anauxiliary station has been operated. In such earlier systems theconductors between the two sets of batteries, the signal box and theauxiliary stations were so arranged that the signal box would not be setin motion on account of the breakage of any wire or of a cross betweenany two wires.

Such earlier systems were so organized that when a manual test was madeof certain conductors and the battery set not under normal test, it wasnecessary to disable the signal box during such test so as to avoid thelikelihood of the signal box bein unintentionally set in motion as there su t of such test.

The principal object of this invention is to provide an auxiliary alarmsystem, having all of the advantages possessed by such systems as havebeen heretofore constructed, and havin the additional advantage ofkeeping un er constant test all current sup ply mechanism and conductorswhose condition is vital to causing the operation of the signal box fromanyauxiliary station, so that warning will be immediately given of abreak in the conductors or of a weakening of current supply mechanismsuch as might render the operation of an auxiliary station ineffectiveto set the signal box in motion.

Another object of this invention is to so construct and arrange thecurrent indicating mechanism, employed for testing the continuity of theconductors vital to the ad justment of the signal box from an auxiliarystation and the strength of the current supply mechanism, that such atest may be obtalned, without either disabling the operative relationbetween the auxiliary stations and the signal box, and without causingany likelihood of the signal box being set in motion astheresult of suchtest.

Other objects of this invention are referred to in the followingspecification and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In constructing this invention, any well known form of signal box may beemployed, which is provided with electro-magnetic mechanism adapted tocause the signal box to be set in motion whenever the magnet thereof issufliciently energized, and, if desired, comprising means for breakingthe circuit connected to said magnet as a result of the operation ofsaid signal box.

Any well known form of auxiliary sta- Conductors are provided seriallyincluding.

the normally closed terminals of the auxiliary stations, relay mechanismcontrolling a suitable alarm, the controlling magnet and circuitbreaking contacts (if used) of the signal box to be controlled, andcurrent supply mechanism so applied as to provide a normal current flowtherethrough to maintain the relay mechanism in such condition that. any

material decrease in said current flow will render said suitable alarmoperative, such normal current flow being insuflicient to causeefiective energization of the starting magnet of the signal box.

Other conductors are provided serially in.- cluding relay mechanism,normally open terminals of the auxiliary stations, a. resistance, andcurrent supply mechanism of such strength that when the relay mechanism,the answer back magnet of any auxiliary station, (if used), and thestarting magnet of the signal box, are connected in series, the resultant current flow through said box starting magnet will be capable ofadjusting said signal box for the transmission of its signal. Saidresistance is such that it will provide such a normal current flowthrough said relay mechanism as to maintain said relay mechanism in suchcondition that any material decrease in said current flow will rendersaid suitable alarm operative.

When it is desired to provide facilities for current flow measurements,current indicating mechanism is provided together with an improvedsystem of connections, between said indicating mechanism and the currentpaths vital to causing the operation of the signal box from anyauxiliary station, wherebyreadings may be obtained without eitherdisabling the operative relation between the auxiliary stations and thesignal box or creating any likelihood of the signal box be ing set inmotion.

When it is desired to render the operation of this improved auxiliaryalarm system effective in spite of breaks in any conductor connected; toa normally open terminal of an auxiliary station, a comparatlvely lowres stance shunt is provided, from the terminal of the current supplymechanism connected to one end of the loop including the relay mechanismand open circuit terminals of all ituxiliary stations, to the other endof said oop.

Various features of my invention are adapted for use either separatelyor in combination with each other with many auxiliary alarm systems andI do not limit myself to the particular arrangements shown in theaccompanying drawing and described in this specification, as manychanges. in construction and arrangement and the insertion or omissionof parts may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention.

For the purpose of more clearly illustrating my invention, 1 have shownits application to a well known auxiliary alarm system in theaccompanying drawing in which,

Figure 1 shows said auxiliary alarm system as it has been ordinarilyconstructed;

Fig. 2 shows the alarm system of Fig. 1

with my invention so applied thereto as to keep all conductors vital tothe intended control of the signal box under constant test; and I Fig. 3shows the alarm system of Fig. 1 with my invention so applied thereto asto not only keep the conductors vital to the intended control of thesignal box under. constant test, but to further render the operation ofanyauxiliary station effective in spite of a break in the operatingloop.

Like characters of reference refer to like parts throughout.

A well known auxiliary alarm system is shown in Fig. 1 in which 1 is astarting magnet associated with a suitable signal box and adapted whenproperly energized to cause the adjustment of said box for thetransmission of a signal therefrom. 2 and 3 are contacts included in thecircuit connected to the starting magnet 1 and controlled by the signalbox associated therewith so that said contacts will be separated as aresult of the run. ning of the signal box mechanism for the transmissionof a signal;

A and B are auxiliary stations each having circuit adjusting meansconsisting of a switch arm 4: pivoted at 5 and the free end of which isadapted to engage and connect with the separately insulated contacts 6,7 and 8.

A buzzer or answer back means is also shown at each auxiliary stationcomprisingthe magnet 9, the terminals of which are connected to thecontacts 7 and 8, and an armature 10 connected with the pivot 5 of theswitch arm 4. A back-stop 11 is provided in the path of the armature 10but normally out of contact therewith saidlback-stop being connected tothe contact 6.

In suitable relation to the starting magnet 1 a terminal set is showncomprisingtesting battery. G, operating battery-D, galvano'meter G, testswitch H, resistance I, alarm controlling mechanism comprising triprelay E and cross relay F, and suitable local alarm mechanism Jcontrolled by said alarm controlling mechanism.

One terminal of the testing battery C is connected with one terminal ofthe operating battery D by the conductor 12 so that it may seriallycooperate therewith. The other terminal of the testing battery C isconnected through the conductor 13 to one terminal of the magnet 14 oftrip relay E. The other terminal of the magnet 14 is connected throughthe conductor 15 to one terminal of the starting magnet 1. The otherterminal of the starting magnet is connected to the contact 2, andcontact 3 is connected through conductor 16 to flexible contact 17forming part of switch H, and to one terminal of galvanomcter G. Thepivot of the movable arm 20 of the switch H is connected to the otherterminal of the galvanometer G, and said arm 20 is adapted to be movedso as to connect with either contact 21 or contact 22.

Flexible contact 18 of switch H is con.- nected through conductor 19 toconductor 15.

. The flexible contacts 17 and 18 are so associated with the switch Hthat when said switch is in one position these contacts will be broughttogether so as to form a shunt around the starting magnet 1, while thesecontacts will be separated when the mechanism of switch H is in itsnormal position.

The conductor 23 connects the contact 21 with the pivot 5 of the switcharm 4 of the adjusting means forming part of auxiliary station A.

The conductor 24 connects normally closed contact 6, of the circuitadjusting means forming part of auxiliary station A, with the pivot5, ofthe circuit adjusting means forming part of auxiliary station E, andconductor 25 connects contact 6, forming part of the circuit adjustingmeans of auxiliary station E, with conductor 12.

Restoring mechanism should be provided for the arm 20 of the switch H sothat when released said arm will always rest upon the contact 21, andfor this purpose the flexible contact 18 may be arranged to constantlyexert a tendency to move the arm 20 away from the contact 22 in thedirection of the contact 21, or other restoring means for said arm maybe provided, but it is important in the use of the system shown in Fig.1 that this arm shall always occupy the position there shown when notactually used for making a test, as the auxiliary alarm systemrepresented by this figure is rendered inoperative when this switch armis moved oflt' from contact 21.

The current path from testing battery C through conductor 13, magnet 14,conductor 15,starting magnet l, contacts2and 3, conductor" 16,galvano-meter G, switch arm 20, contact 21, conductor 23, switch arm 4and contact 6 of auxiliary station A, conductor 24, switch arm 4 andcontact 6 of auxiliar station B, and conductor 25 forms a testingcircuit, one end of which is connectedto the battery C through theconductor 12, and the other end of which is directly connected to saidbattery, so that the testing current may normally pass over saidcircuit, and the strength of the battery C is such that the current flowthrough the circuit indicated will be sufficient to hold the armature ofthe magnet 14 in the partially attract-ed position hereinafter morefully described, but said current flow will be insufficient to draw thearmatures of the magnet 14 or the starting magnet 1 to their attractedpositions, and said current path therefore forms a circuit Tuch as Iwill hereinafter refer to as a test oop.

The conductor 27 connects one terminal of the operating battery D withone terminal of the magnet 28 of cross relay F, and the other terminalof said magnet 28 is connected through the conductor 29 to contact 7 ofthe circuit adjusting means of auxiliary station B. The contacts 7 ofauxiliary stations A and B are connected by the conductor 30.

The conductor 27, magnet 28, and conductors 29 and 30 form a currentpath from the operating battery D to the circuit adjusting means of theauxiliary stations B and A whereby starting magnet l of the signal boxmay be operatively affected and thereby form a current path such as Iwill hereinafter refer to as an operating loop.

It will be noted that the operating loop is so arranged as to form analternative path to the starting magnet 1 from the conductor 12 and isarranged to connect the various auxiliary stations in the same order asthey are included in the end of the test loop which is connected to saidconductor 12, whereby the resistance of the current path when thetesting battery and operating battery are acting in series issubstantially the same, regardless of which auxiliary station isactuated.

The cross relay F comprises the magnet 28 and its associated pivotedarmature structure 31 having back stop 32 against which it is normallyheld by retractile spring 33 and having front stop 34 into contact withwhich it may be moved when the magnet 28 is sufficiently energized.

The trip relay E comprises the magnet 14 and its associated pivotedarmature strwture 35 having retractile spring 36 which is adapted tohold the armature structure in contact with back stop 37 when the magnet14 is denergized.

The insulating .button38 is provided near the end of the armaturestructure 35 and. is so positioned with relation to the arm 39 as to beadapted to move said arm around its pivot 40 when the armature structuremoves toward the magnet 14.

The spring 41 is so applied to the arm 39 as to resist the movementimparted to said arm by the armature structure 35, and the lower end ofthe arm 39 is cut away on the side toward the armature structure 35 soas to form a shoulder and a stop.

The trip arm 42, pivoted at 43, has connected thereto a spring 44tending to raise the free end of said arm, and a contact pin 45 isprovided in such position, nzar the free end of said arm, that it may beso engaged by the shoulder at the lower end of the arm 39, that themovement of the trip arm 42, in response to the spring 44, may bearrested by said shoulder, and. so engaged by the stop that the pin 45will act to limit the movement of the arm 39 in the dir ction of thearmature structure 35.

The contact spring 46 is mounted in the path of the trip arm 42 in suchposition that when said arm is being held by the engage ment of the pin45 with the shoulder at the end of the arm 39, said arm 42 will be incontact with the contact spring 46, and that when the arm 39 isdisengaged from the pin 45, so as to permit the trip arm 42 to move inresponse to spring 44, said arm 42 will move out of contact withv thecontact spring 46.

The contact spring 47 is mounted in such relation to the pin 45 that thefree end of said contact spring 47 will lie in the path of movement ofsaid pin 45, so that said pin 45 will be brought against said contactspring 47, when the trip arm 42 is raised,

after the disengagement of the shoulder at the free end of the arm 39,from said pin 45.

From the foregoing description of this relay, it is apparent that whenthe magnet 14 is denergized and the trip arm 42 is manually depressed,the cut away end of the arm 39 will move into the path of the pin 45 andretain the trip arm 42 in its depressed position, and thereafter, whenthe magnet 14 is suffi iently energized, the armature structure 35 willmove the end of the arm 39 out of the path of the pin 45, and the triparm 42 will move to su h position as to break its connection withcontact spring 46 and establish connection between contact pin 45 andcontact spring 47. This relay is therefore arranged, to trip a contactupon complete attraction of the armature, and in this sense is hereinreferred to as a trip relay.

It will further be seen from the foregoing that the trip relay E is soorganized that, under predetermined conditions of the circuit connectedto the magnet 14, the armaturev structure 35 may occupy any one of threedefinite positions; first, the position where it is in contact with backstop 37,

where it holds the cut away end of the arm 39 out of the path of the pin45, and thereby operatively affects the relation of the trip arm 42 withcontact springs 46 and 47 which position it will occupy whenever themagnet 14 is sufficiently energized to move the armature structure 35against both the tension of spring 36 and the tension of spring 41acting through the arm 39, and the friction incid"nt to pin 45 pressingagainst the shoulder at the end of said arm 39.

This relay is therefore not only a trip relay, but is arranged tomaintain any one of three sets of local contact conditions, and

in this sense is herein referred to as a threeposition relay.

The terminal set also embodies the local alarm me hanism J whichcomprises the batterv 48, the disturbance bell 49 and the fire bell 50.The conductor 51 connects one terminal of the battery 48 with the triparm 42 through its pivot 43; the conductor 52 connects the otherterminal of the battery 48 with one terminal of the fire bell 50; thecondu tor 53 connects the other terminal of said fire bell with thecontact spring 47; the conductor 54 connects the terminal of the firebell 50, which is connected by the wire 52 with the batt ry 48, with oneterminal of the disturbance bell 49, the other terminal of saiddisturbance bell 49 is connected through the wire 55 with the armaturestructure 31 of cross relay F and through the wire 56 with the armaturestructure 35 of the trip relay E; the conductor 57 conne ts the backstop 37 of trip relay E with the front stop 34 of cross relay F, andsaid conductor is connected by the conductor 58 with contact spring 46.

-From the foregoing, it is evident that whenever the armature structure35 is moved to its extreme attracted position, and the trip arm 42 isthereupon raised by the spring 44, a circuit will be established fromthe battery 48 through conductor 51, trip arm 42, pin 45, contact spring47, conductor 53, fire bell 50 and conductor 52 to the other side of thebattery 48, thereby causing the fire bell 50 to sound.

It is further evidentthat, while the trip arm 42 is in such elevatedposition, the battery 48 will be disconnected from the conductor 57,because of the separation between said trip arm 42 and the contactspring46, and therefore the movement of the armature structure 31 of thecross relay F into conment of the armature structure 31 to its attractedposition, on account of the establishmentof a-current path frombattery.48, throughconductor 51, trip arm 42, contact spring 46, conductor 58,the portion of conductor 57 leading therefrom to front stop 34, thencethrough armature structure 31,

conductor 55, disturbance bell 49, conductor 54, and conductor 52, tothe other terminal of the battery 48; or upon the movement of thearmature structure 35 of trip relay E to retracted position, on accountof the estab lishment-of a current path from battery 48,

through conductor 51, trip arm 42, contact spring 46, conductor 58,theportion of conductor 57 leading therefrom to back stop 37, armaturestructure 35, conductor 56, disturbance bell 49, conductor 54, andconductor 52, to the other terminal of the battery 48.

The three-position feature of the trip relay E is utilized by' employingthis relay as a test relay, so long as the trip arm 42 is in depressedposition, to cause the disturbance .bell 49 to act whenever the currentflow through the magnet 14 is less than a predetermined value, and as atrip relay, acting whenever the magnet 14 has been abnormallyenergizedboth to cause the operation of the fire bell 50 and to open theconnection between the battery 48 and the contacts controlling thedisturbance bell 49.

The cross relay F operatively alfects the disturbance bell 49 as aresult of a cross developing between the test loop and the operatingloop, only when the test loop is not broken between said cross and theend of said test loop which is connected to conductor 12; for,in theevent of a cross so occurring, for instance between conductor 30 andconductor 24, the energization of the magnet 14 of trip relay E will notbe materially increased, and therefore said relay will not open theconnection between the battery 48 and the disturbance bell 49, but acurrent path from the operating battery D will be established throughconductor 12, conductor 25, contact 6 of auxiliary station B. switch arm4 of said station, conductor 24, and through said cross to conductor 30,thence through conductor 29, magnet 28 and conductor 27 to the otherterminal of the op crating battery D; and in view of the comparativelylow resistance of this current path it is evident that the magnet 28will be strongly energized and the armature structure 31 will be movedinto contact with its front stop 34.

For the purpose of enabling the condition of the vital current paththrough the operating battery and operating loop to be manuallydetermined, the operating loop is extended from contact 7, of thecircuit actuating meansof auxiliarystation A, through the conductor 59,to a terminal of the resist ance I, and the other terminal of said re-.sistance is connected through conductor 61 with the normally opencontact 22 ofthe switch H.

The operation of the system shown in Fig. i 1 is as follows: 7 Undernormal conditions, the parts occupy the positions shown and there is nocurrent flow from theoperating battery D. but the magnet 14 of'trip'relay E is sufliciently energizedby the curernt flow from testingbattery C, through the test loop already described, to move and retainthe armature structure 35 in-its intermediate position, so; that anyinterruption in the current path' through said test circuit (includingthe starting magnet 1 and contacts 2 and 3) will be indicated by the"disturbance bell 49, which will be rendered efiective through theretraction of the armature structure 35 into contact with its associatedback stop constantly indicated by the galvanometer G.

If, now, it is desired to'secure an indica-,

tion of the condition of the operating battery and the operating loopconnected therewith, the switch structure H must be manually operated soas to bring the arm 20 into contact with the contact 22 and out ofcontact with the contact 21.

The first result of such movement of the switch arm 20 is to connect theflexible contacts 17 and 18, and thereby short circuit the startingmagnet 1 and contacts 2 and 3, and the further movement of the arm 20will establish a connection between said arm and the contact 22 andbreak the connection between said arm and the contact 21.

When the switch arm 20 is in the position just described, a current pathis established from the operating battery D.

through conductor 12, testing battery (7, conductor 13, magnet 14.conductors 15 and 19,

' contacts 18 and 17, galvanometer G, switch arm 20. contact 22.conductor 61, resistance 7 comparison with a similar reading previouslyobtained through the same operating loop, the effectiveness of operatingbattery D may be judged.

.It is evident that when the switch arm 20 has been moved to contact 22as just described, the movement of the switch arm 4 of an auxiliarystation would not operatively affect the starting magnet 1: first,because said starting magnet is short-circuited through the (011118 tionestablished between the contacts 17 and 18; and second, because theportion of the test loop, which is connected to the operating loopthrough the action of any auxiliary station switch arm, stands open atcontact 21 so that the operation of such switch arm "would not aifectthe current flow through the starting magnet 1 even if the contactsprings 17 and 18 were not employed.

The operation of this system to cause the signal box to be set in motionis as follows: The switch arm '4 of one of the auxiliary stations (forinstance, the station A) should be moved from conta t 6 until it restsupon contact "8 of said station.

When the switch arm 4 touches the contact 7, hile still touching contact6, a current path will be established from the operating battery Dthrough conductor 12 to junction with conductor 2.5; from this junctiontwo parallel paths will exist to contact '7 of station A; first, throughconductor 25, contact 6 and switch arm 4 of auxiliary station B,conductor 24 to contact 6 of auxiliary station A, thence through switcharm 4 to contact 7 of said station, which path will be referred to asthe path through conductor 2'5; and second, from the junction ofconductor 25 with conductor 12, through battery C, conductor 13, magnet14, conductor 15, starting magnet 1 of the signal box, contacts 2 and 3,conductor 16, galvanometer Gr, arm 20 and contact 21 of switch H,condurtor 23 and switch arm 4 to contact 7 of auxiliary station A, whichpath will be referred to as the path through starting magnet 1, but theresistance of this path through starting magnet 1 is so great incomparison with the path through conductor 25 that substantially all thecurrent from the operating battery D will pass through the path throughconductor 25. From the junction of the two parallel current paths atcontact 7, the current path continues through conductor 30, contact 7 ofstation B, conductor '29, magnet 28 of cross relay F and conductor 27 tothe other terminal of operating battery D, which path will be referredto as the path through magnet 28.

Upon the establishment of the current paths just described, magnet 28will be powerfully energized, and armature structure .31 will moveagainst the tension of spring 33 into contact with front stop 34 and, ifthe switch arm 4 is moved slowly enough, the disturbance bell 49 will becaused to act. 7

When the switch arm 4 ceases to touch the contact 6, the current paththrough conduc'tor 25 will be interrupted, and therefore the currentflow through the path through startingmagnet'l will be greatly increasedand will be sufficient to operatively afiect the starting magnet 1 andto cause the magnet 14 acting through the armature structure 35 todisengage the cut away end of the arm "39 from the pin 45, so that thetrip arm 42 will be permitted to move in response to the spring 44, andthus silence the .local disturbance bell 49 and render active the localfire bell 50, and if the signal box is set, in condition to beresponsive'to' the efiective energization of the'magnet 1, said signalbox would be adjusted for the transmission of its signal.

After said switch arm 4 is moved from.

contact 7 to contact 8, the magnet 9, of'the' buzzer or answer barkmeans associated therewith, will be serially included in the paththrough the starting magnet 1 to contact 7, so that the current passingthrough said path will cause said magnet 9 to draw its armature 10 anabnormal distance from its ba"k stop 11.

When the connectlon between contacts 2 and 3 is interrupted (as itshould be by the running of the signal box) the path through magnet 1will be broken and the magnet 9 will therefore bev deenergized, and thearmature 10 will thus be permitted to move away from said magnet, butsaid armature in moving away from its magnet will ac quire sufficientmomentum to carry it against its back stop 11, so as to renergize themagnet 9, through establishing a connection from the path throughcondu'tor 25, through contact 6, back stop 11, armature 10, switch arm4, contact 8, magnet 9, and conta t 7, to the current path throughmagnet 28.

Upon such renergization of the magnet 9, the armature 10 will be againattracted, breaking its conne'tion with its back stop 11 and setting upa buzzing operation which will continue so long as said switch arm 4remains on contact 8, and the path through starting magnet 1 is open.

It has been shown that when the switch arm 4 of the auxiliary station Eis moved from its contact 6 to its contact 8, the armature 10 of saidauxiliary station will move to its attracted position, and thereafter ifthe current path through the magnet 1 remains closed at the contacts 2and 3 (through the signal box failing to act) said armature will be heldin attracted position while the arm 4 of said station is held inconnection with its contact ,8, however if the arm 4 of some otherstation (as for instance, station A) is moved from its contact 6 to itscontact 8, the buzzer or answer back means of said station B will act asif the contacts 2 and 3 of the signal box had been separated by therunning of said box.

Should the test battery or the continuity of the test loop be impaired,such impairment will permit retraction of the armature structure 35, andthereupon if an effective connection is established between saidarmature structure 35 and its associated backstop 37, and battery 48 anddisturbance bell 49 are inoperative condition, said disturbance bell 49will be rendered operative until either the current flow through themagnet 14 is restored or the motive power of the bell 49 or the battery48 is exhausted, and if a vibrating bell is provided M49 and a batteryof ample capacity is provided at 48, the period of operation mighteasily be such as would bridge any eriod when there would be no one onthe premises to act upon the signal of the bell 49 (as for instance onSundays or holidays). r In the event of the impairment of the op eratingbattery D, or of either the connection between the cells of saidbattery, or of the continuity-of the operating loop, no local alarmwarning would be given and such impairment would only be disclosedthrough the use of the testing switch H. a

In the event of a cross or short circuit between the operating loop andthe test loop, the magnet 28 will cause its armature structure 31 tomove into contact with its front stop 34, to close the circuit of thedisturbance bell 49, and said bell 49 will thereafter continue to actuntil the cross is removed, the operative power'for the bell 49 isexhausted, or thebattery D is so weakened as to no longer maintain thearmature structure 31 in attracted position.

Owing to the fact that said battery D is practically short-circuited bysuch a cross, it is evident that if such a cross occurred at a time whenthere was no one present to act romptly upon the signal of thedisturbance bell 49, said battery D might become so exhausted as torelease the armature structure 31 from the attraction of its magnet, andthereby cease to sound the disturbance bell. I11 such an event thesystem would stand completely disabled, without giving any warningsignal thereof tothose arriving after such exhaustion of battery D, andfurthermore in the event of such a cross existing for a time and thendisappearing, no indication would remain to give warning of the factthat the operating battery had been thus run down. although itsdischarge might have been so heavy that there would remain insuflicientpower to effectively energize the starting magnet 1.

Fig. 2 shows my invention so applied to the auxiliary alarm system of.Fig. l as to maintain a constant test of the operating battery andoperating loop, and to sound the disturbance bell upon said operatingbat tery or operating loop becoming so impaired as to jeopardize thetransmission of a signal, and at the same time roviding means wherebythe galvanometer may be connected in' series with either the testingbattery'or the operating battery or cut out, without impairingtheeifectiveness of the signaling system as the result. of any operation of said means.

The construction and arrangement of the system shown in Fig. 1 appliesequally to Fig. 2 except in the following respects The conductor 19 andthe flexible contacts 17 and 18 for shunting the starting magnet 1 areomitted, and the conductor 23" is connected directly to contact 3. Theconductor 12 between batteries C and Dis replaced by the conductor 12connecting the battery C with contact 21- of switch me hanism H, andconductor 12 connecting the terminal of operating battery D with contact22' of switch mechanismI-I. I

The terminals of the galvanometer G are connected to the contacts 21 and22. The switch arm 20 of the switch mechanism H is provided at its freeend with two prongs adapted to form a connection between the contacts 21and 22' when said switch is in a certain position; i

The conductor 61 connects a terminal of the resistance I with the pivotof the switch arm 20, the conductor 25 being also con.-

nected to the pivot of said switch arm 20'.

Thecross relay F has its backstop 37-' connected through conductor 62with conductor 57, and the arm 39 pivoted at 40 having stop 63 andspring 41, rendering said relay F a three-position relay through saidparts acting like corresponding parts in trip relay E as alreadydescribed.

In the operation of the system shown in Fig. 2, the parts normally standin the positions shown, a current path being established from thetesting battery C, through conductor 13, magnet 14, conductor 15,starting magnet 1, contacts 2 and 3, conductor 23, switch arm 4 andcontact 6 of auxiliary station A, conductor 24, switch arm 4 and contact6 of auxiliary station B, conductor 25 left-hand prong of switch arm 20,contact 21, and conductor 12, to the other terminal of battery 0,thereby maintaining the armature structure 35 of the trip relay E in itsnormal or intermediate position.

A second current path is established from the operating battery Dthrough'conductor 12", contact 22, right-hand prong of switch arm 20',conductor 61, resistance I, conductor 59, contact 7 of stat-ion A,conductor 80, contact 7 of station B, conductor 29, magnet 28, andconductor 27, to the opposite terminal of battery D, the resistance Ibeing such that when'the battery D is at normal strength, the currentpassing through magnet 28 will be barely sutiicient to keep the armaturestructure 35" in its normal or intermediate position.

If it is desired to employ the galvanome ter G to indicate the strengthof the current flow from the'testing battery C, the switch arm 20 sh uldbe moved to the right, and'if it is desired to indicate the strength ofthe current flow from the o erating battery D said switch arm 20 shouldbe moved to the left, but it is evident that neither of said movementsof the switch arm 20 will impair the operative relation between thestarting magnet 1 and its associated auxiliary stations A and B. I

' It vwill furthermore be seen. that an impairment of the operatingbattery D, or of the continuity of the operating loop, will result inthe retraction of the armature structure 35' of therelay F, and theconseouent establishm nt of a connection from the battery 48, throughconductor 57, 'con ductor 62 and back stop 37', to the disturb aneebell49'. i

The operation of the system shown in Fig. 2, in response to breaks inthe test loop, impairment of the testing battery, crosses between theoperating loop and test loop, and op ration of auxiliarv stations, willbe the same as that described in connection with Fig. 1. v

Fig. 3 shows my invention soapplied to the auxiliary alarm system ofFig. 1 as, not only tosecnre const nt. test of the operating batteryandoperating loop, and the sounding of a disturbance alarm upon saidoperating battery or operating loop becoming so impaired as to jeopard ethe transmission of a s gnal, but in addition thereto, to secure theeffective energization of the starting magnet upon the operation of anyauxiliary stat on. even if there is a break in the operating loop. andto secure the continued sounding of the disturbance alarm, in responseto a cross between the operating loop and the test loop, even if theoperating batterv becomes so weakened or impaired. as a result of suchcross. that it ceases to retain the ar ature of the cross relay in fullyat tracted position. v

The construction of the auxiliary alarm s stem sho n in Fi 3. tters fromthat shown in Fig. 1 in the following respects.

Conductor 61" connects a terminal of resista ce I wi h cond ctor 12betwe n the junction of said conductor 12 with the condu or 25" and thebattery C.

Two galvanometers are provided, the galvanomet r G being seria lyincluded in the conductor 13, and the galvanometer G' being seriallyincluded in the conductor 27 One terminal of a relatively low resist-The cross relay F is provided with trip structure corresponding to thetrip relay E,

whereby said relay F", in addition to be- Iinga three-position relay,-has the trip arm :42 and the'contact spring 47 cooperating therewith,so that upon the abnormal energization of the magnet 28, the trip arm42' will be released'and a connection will be established between saidtrip arm and the contact spring 1-71 In the operation of the systemshown in Fig. 3, the parts normally stand in the positions shown, acurrent path being established from the testing battery C, throughgalvanometer G, conductor 13, magnet 141, conductor 15, starting magnet1, contacts 2 and 3, conductor 23, switch arm 4 and contact 6ofauxiliarv station A. conductor 24, switch arm 1 and contact 6 ofauxiliary station B, conductor 25", and conductor 12 to theothenterminal of battery C, thereby maintaining the armature structure35, of

the trip relay E, in its normal or intermediate position.

A second current path is normally established from the operating batteryD, through conductor 12, conductor 61". comparatively high resistance 1,a portion of conductor 59, to junction 67, from which two parallelcurrent paths exist. as follows: first, through conductor 65, relativelylow resistance 64:. and conductor 66, to i ction 68; and second, throughthe remainder of conductor 59'. contact 7 of station A, conductor 30.contact 7 of station B. conductor 29, magnet 28, conductor 27', andgalvanometer G, to junction 68, where the two paths join and connectwith operating battery D through a portion of conductor 97.

The resistance of the shunt, between junction 67 and junction 68,comprising the relatively low resistan e 6 1 and the conductors 65 and66, should be approximately equal to the resistance of the path betweenjunction 67 and junction 68 through conduc ors 59. 80. 29. and 27,mannet 28, and galvanometer G, so that in the event of a break in thecurrent path through magnet 28. between junction 68 and the contact 7 ofany auxiliary station, upon the opera tion of such auxiliary station thecurrent flow to the contact 7, through the shunt resistance 6 1. willalways be sufiicient to assure the effective energization of thestarting magnet 1. Owing to the fact that the resistance 64 forms ashunt around the magnet 28, it is evident that the higher thisresistance may be made, without errdangering the eifective energizationof starting magnet 1 under the broken circuit condition just described,the less drain it will be upon the operating battery D, to maintainsufficient current flow through the operating loop, to enable magnet 28to hold its armature structure 35 in its normal or intermediateposition. 7

It will be seen from the foregoing that the galvanometer G", connectedas shown in Fig. 3, constantly indicates the current flow through thetest loop from testing battery C, and the galvanometer G constantlyindicates the current flow through the operating loop from the operatingbattery D, and that the use of these galvanometers for indicating suchcurrent flows will not impair the operative relation between thestarting magnet 1 and its associated auxiliary stations A and B.

It will furthermore be seen that an impairment of operating battery D,or of the operative conditions of the operating loop, will result in theretraction of the armature structure 35 of the relay F, and theconsequent establishment of a connection from the battery 48, throughconductor 57, conductor 62, and back stop 37, through the disturbanceindicator 49, and alarm bell 26. The operation of the system shown inFig. 3, in response to breaks in the test loop, impairment of thetesting battery, breaks in the operating loop, impairment ofv theoperating battery, and crosses between the operating loop and the testloop, and operation of auxiliary stations, will be the same as thatdescribed in connection with Fig. 2, except in the following respects: V

Whenever the armature structure 35 of the relay F moves to attractedposition, the trip arm 42 will move to the position where its pin 45connects with contact 47, so that if such movement of the armaturestructure 35 is the result of an accidental cross between the test loopand the operating loop, the disturbance indicator 49 and alarm bell 26will continue to act in spite of any subsequent retraction of saidarmature structure 35.

In the event of the operation of one of the auxiliary stations shown inFig. 3, the operation of the disturbance indicator 4L9 will be cut offby the action of trip relay E, but after such action, when trip relay Eis manually restored it will also be necessary to manually'restore relayF;

In the event of a break in the operating loop, of the auxiliary systemshown in Fig. 3, it is evident that the starting magnet 1 will still beresponsive to the operation of any auxiliary station connected thereto,as two. current paths are provided, from the junction 68 near oneterminal of the operating battery D, to contact 7 of each auxiliarystation, and abreak'in either path will still leave the system operativethrough the other path.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In an auxiliary alarm system, a test loop and a testing batterytherefor, and an operating loop and an operating battery therefor, incombination with a shunt connected between two points in the operatingloop and having a resistance at least equal to the total resistance ofthe operating loop between the said two points.

2. In an auxiliary alarm system, a test loop and a testing batterytherefor, an operating loop and an operating battery therefor, aconnection of nominal resistance between two points of theoperatingloop, and a relatively high resistance connection between oneend of the operating loop and the test loop.

3. In an auxiliary alarm system a test loop and a testing batterytherefor, an operating loop and an operating battery therefor, an alarmmechanism so connected to said loops as to be rendered active uponinterruption of the normal current flow in either or both of said loops,or upon the establishment of an abnormal connection between said loops.

4. In an auxiliary alarm system a test loop and a testing batterytherefor, an operating loop and an operating battery therefor, aconnection of nominal resistance be tween two points of the operatingloop, a

.connection of comparatively high resistance separately connectedbetween one end of the operating loop and the test loop, and means forindicating current interruptions in either of said loops.

5. In an auxiliary alarm system, a test loop, an operating loop, currentsupply mechanism for said loops, an end of each loop being directlyconnected to said current supply mechanism, a third circuit includingresistances in series and said current supply mechanism, the remainingends of said loops being connected to each other through points in saidthird circuit separated by one of said resistances, and alarmcontrolling mechanism responsive to current interruptions in eitherloop.

6. In an auxiliary alarmsystem, a test loop, an operating loop, currentsupply mechanism for said loops, an end of each loop being directlyconnected to said current supply mechanism, a third circuit includingresistances in series and said current supply mechanism, the remainingends of said loops being connected to each other through points in saidthird circuit separated by one of said resistances, an alarm controllingrclay for the test loop, and an alarm controlling relay for theoperatingv loop.

7. In an auxiliary alarm system, a test loop, an operating loop, currentsupply mechanism for said loops, an end of each loop being directlyconnected to said current supply mechanism, a third circuit includingresistances in series and said current supply mechanism, the remainingends of said loops being connected to each other through points in saidthird circuit separated by one of said resistances, and alarm control.-ling mechanism connected to each loop and responsive both to abnormalincreases and abnormal decreases in'the current strength in said loops.

8. In an auxiliary alarm system, a test loop, a box starting magnetincluded in said test loop, an operating loop, current supply mechanismfor said loops, an end of each loop being directly connected to saidcurrent supply mechanism, a third circuit including resistances inseries and said current supply mechanism, the remaining ends of saidloops being connected to each other through points in said third circuitseparated by one of said resistances, and alarm controlling mechanismconnected to each loop and responsive both to abnormal increases andabnormal decreases in the current strength in said loops.

9. In an auxiliary alarm system, a test loop, an operating loop, one ormore auxiliary stations connected to said loops, a box starting magnetincluded in said test loop between said auxiliary stations and an end ofsaid loop, current supply mechanism for said loops, an end of each loopbeing directly connected to said current supply mechanism, a thirdcircuit including resistances in series and said current supplymechanism, the remaining ends of said loops being connected to eachother through points in said third circuit separated by one of saidresistances, and alarm controlling mechanism connected to each loop andresponsive both to abnormal increases and abnormal decreases in thecurrent strength in said loops.

10. In an auxiliary alarm system, a test loop, an operating loop, one ormore auxiliary stations connected to said loops, a box starting magnetincluded in said test loop between said auxiliary stations and an end ofsaid loop, current supply mechanism for said loops, an end of each loopbeing directly connected to said current supply mechanism, a thirdcircuit including resistances in series and said'current supplymechanism, the remaining-ends of said loops being connected to eachother. through points in said third circuit separated by one of saidresistances, an alarm controlling relay included in the portion of thetest loop which includes'the box starting magnet, and an alarmcontrolling relay included in the portion of-the operating loop which isdirectly connected to the current supply mechanism.

11. In an auxiliary alarm system, a'test loop, a box starting magnetincluded in said test loop, an operating loop, one or more auxiliarystations so connected to said loops 7 that the operation of an auxiliarystation will break said test loop and connect that portion of the testloop including the starting magnet to the operating loop, current supplymechanism for said loops, an end of each loop being directly connectedto said current supply mechanism, a third circuit includingresistancesin series and said current supply mechanism, the remainingends of said loops being connected to each other through points in saidthird circuit separated by one of said resistances, and alarmcontrolling mechanism connected to each loop and re sponsive both toabnormal increases and abnormal decreases in the current strength insaid loops.

12 A box starting magnet, a plurality of auxiliary stations, adjustingmeans at each station for the circuit connections thereof, a testingbattery, circuit connections forming a test loop connecting saidauxiliary stations and including the testing battery and the boxstarting magnet, alarm controlling mechanism for said test loop, anoperating loop connected to said auxiliary stations, a resistanceconnected between one end of the operating loop and the test loop, anoperating battery separately connected between the other end of theoperating loop and the controlled by saidoperating loop.

13. A box starting magnet, a plurality of auxiliary stations, adjustingmeans at each station for the circuit connections thereof, a testingbattery, circuit connections form ing a test loop connecting saidauxiliary stations and including the testing battery and the boxstarting magnet, alarm controlling mechanism'for said test loop, otheralarmcontrolling mechanism, an operating loop including the auxiliarystations and said other alarm controlling mechanism, a relatively lowresistance shunt between the ends of the operating loop, a relativelyhigh resistance connected between one end of the operating loop and thetest loop, and an operating battery separately connected between theother end of the operating loo-p andthe test loop.

14. A box startingmagnet, a plurality of vauxiliary stations, adjustingmeans at each station for the circuit connections thereof, a testingbattery, circuit connections formthe operating battery throughsaid-other alarm controlling mechanism to the auxiliary stations wherebythe operation of the adjusting means at any auxiliary station will breakthe test loop and connect the testing battery, operating battery, boxstarting magnet, and said test loop alarm controlling mechanism inseries, whereby the operative condition of the operating battery andsaid connections is under constant test.

15. A series of auxiliary stations, each having a common terminal andtwo selective terminals, a box starting magnet, a relay, a currentsource, a conductor connecting a terminal of said current source throughsaid relay and box starting magnet with the common terminal of one. ofsaid auxiliary stations, conductors each connecting a selective terminalof an auxiliary station to the common terminal of the next auxiliarystation in the series, a conductor connecting a selective terminal ofthe last auxiliary station in the series to the other terminal of saidcurrent source, a second current source having one terminal connected tothe terminal of the first current source which is connected to theselective contact, of said last auxiliary station in the series, asecond relay, a conductor connecting the remaining terminal of saidsecond current source through said second relay and through theremaining selective terminal of each auxiliary station to one terminalof a resistance, a conductor connecting the other terminal of saidresistance to the conductor connecting a selective terminal of the lastauxiliary station in the series to one terminal of said first currentsource, local alarm mechanism, a current source therefor, and contactsso controlled by both relays as to render the local alarm mechanismoperative upon the deenergization of either relay.

16. A series of auxiliary stations, each having a common terminal andtwo selective terminals, a box starting magnet, a relay, a currentsource, a conductor connecting a terminal of said current source throughsaid relay and box starting magnet with the common terminal of one ofsaid auxiliary stations, conductors each connecting a selective .theother terminal of said resistance to the conductor connecting aselective terminal of the last auxiliary station in the series to oneterminal of said first current source, local alarm mechanism, a currentsource therefor, and contacts so controlled by both relays as to renderthe local alarm mechanism 0perative upon the denergization of eitherrelay.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name, this 22nd day ofSeptember, A. D.,

C. E. BEACH.

Witnesses:

M. L. THoM'As, D. W; FOSTER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

